United?

The Prime Minister's recent Middle East trip revealed a startling gulf between public diplomacy - calling for democratic change in the region - and commercial and military opportunism - seeking to sell military hardware to the very same repressive regimes. The words seem to emerge from the Foreign Office, and the actions from the Ministry of Defence. Long-standing pundits comment that this disunity has been how things have been for many generations.
But this doesn't show much unity of purpose, as ethical foreign policy is trumped by expedient arms sales.
But such shows of disunity are common - within our own coalition government, and we will see the same in the new Irish Government too.
It is very startling that on the night before Jesus was executed, and with his disciples protesting their united loyalty to him, 'to the death', he prays for them to be united.
'“I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.' (John 17.20-21)
Jesus doesn't pray for their safety and protection, nor for their success in outreach and effectiveness in developing good careers. Most important is a unity - not a uniformity - which is rooted in the relationships within the Trinity. Today, as this prayer in answered n the way we live, we share the very nature of God-in-Jesus and Jesus-in-God, and us-in-God and God-in-us with all others who trust Jesus too. We are truly family, united in our common purpose - how ever different we may seem to be.
Best wishes,
Richard